Pakaradian ko Ragonan, Meranao for Harvest Festival, marked the success of the Go Negosyo-Convergys Agri-Model Farm Site 1 in Brgy. Abaga, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte last January 11, 2018. It celebrated the graduation of the 200 internally displaced farmers who have undergone a 3-month intensive farm training, and the announcement of the official registration of their agribased organization, Marawi-Balo-i United Farmers Association.

Initially aiming for the IDP communities to relieve the trauma of the siege while slowly easing into food self-sufficience, the agri-model farm with the newly-created association has now started prospects in sustainable agribusiness. Go Negosyo Kapatid for Agri sticks to its principle of 3Ms: Money, Market, and Mentorship in cultivating agripreneurship in the Lanao region.

Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Go Negosyo’s Project Head for ARMM Projects and Adviser for Agri-Enterprises reminds everyone of the value of learning over dole-out financial interventions- “Here they gain knowledge, education, skill, discipline, capacity to create, and sustainable economic development- all of which can uplift them further than they had ever imagined possible.” This is supported by the remarks of Harbest AgriBusiness Corporation President, Toto Barcelona whose statement centered on the importance of patience and determination in the field of agriculture.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has been supportive of agricultural developments. Go Negosyo has partnered with Department of Agriculture led by Secretary Manny Piñol to bring mentorship to our farmers.

IDP farmer leading her fellow graduates with the flow of the graduation rites, and the program flow.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra delivers an inspirational message before his announcement of the additional livelihood assistance for the graduates.

Partners, sponsors, and coordinators hold up okras after the ceremonial produce cutting which signaled the start of the program. (Photo taken by James Sumaran of Philippine Information Agency)

While many public and private sectors have expressed individual commitments to investing in efforts made in rebuilding Marawi, guest speakers have all agreed that cooperating peacefully in working towards one common goal is the answer in achieving true development even beyond the sieged city. The provincial governments of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, together with the local officials of both Marawi and Balo-i have signified support in the initiative and its plans of furthering sustainable agribusiness for economic development. Particularly noting Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra’s commitment of an additional livelihood assistance to the IDP farmer graduates which he hoped would help in their entrepreneurial ventures.

In a statement, Go Negosyo Founder and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion proudly shared, “We are glad to contribute to the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi. Aside from our assistance to the displaced families, soldiers and armed forces, and bereaved families of the fallen soldiers during the Marawi siege a few months ago, we would like to extend Go Negosyo’s development efforts to the communities affected through our negosyo and mentoring programs.”

Expecting another farm site harvest festival by February, Kapatid for Agri prepares for a series of development efforts in the ARMM region which centers on rebuilding Marawi and the development of the IDPs. Together with its partners- Convergys, DOLE-TUPAD, Harbest, SM Foundation, Century Pacific Foods, Pilmico, Asia Brewery, AFP, PNP, PLGUs, LGUs, and the DA, Go Negosyo stays committed to its promise of achieving prosperity for all, in this case, agriculture being the game changer.

Manny Pangilinan, Josephine Gotianun-Yap, Tessie Sy-Coson, PNP General Ronald Dela Rosa, Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President Rodrigo Duterte, PA Joey Concepcion, ES Salvador Medialdea, AFP General Eduardo Año, and Dr. Domingo Yap with (2nd Row L-R) Nilda Santos (wife of the late Tsg Jessie Santos), Mercenita Savellano (mother of the late 1LT John Frederick Savellano), Lolita Selda (mother of the late Cpl Dennis Selda), Ligaya Serrano (wife of the late Cpl Benito Serrano), Karin Sisiban (wife of the late Pfc Kevin Sisiban), Manilyn Solar (wife of the late PS1 Freddie Solar), Evelyn Sumagpang (mother of the late Cpl Rolan Sumagpang), Ronald Supnad (father of the late Cpl Ronald Supnad Jr), May Chinaline Tamboon (wife of the late Sgt Brian Tamboon), Marcia Tinangag (mother of the late Pfc Gener Tinangag), Pamela Tolorio (sister of the late Pvt Joshua Tolorio), Diana Triston (wife of the late SSg Joven Triston), William Sr. Tuanda (father of the late Pfc William Tuanda Jr), Suela Villanueva (mother of the late SSg Joseph Villanueva), Ellen Mae Aquino (liason officer of the late Cpl Harney Jay Villaruel), Marites Vista (mother of the late Pfc Johnro Vista).

MALACAÑAN: July 25, 2017—Go Negosyo hosted the Salamat Magigiting na Mandirigma where financial assistance was turned over to the families of the 101 soldiers and policemen who have laid down their lives in service of our country.

Government officials attending the event held at the Heroes Hall of Malacañan Palace include President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP General Eduardo Año, PNP General Ronald Dela Rosa and other cabinet members and military officers.

President Duterte empathized with the families in the message he delivered stating that it pains him that these soldiers had to die for peace in Marawi upon his orders. The president then announced that he will assure that their soldiers will receive better funding and that their families, especially the children are also taken care of. According to the president, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous intends to give 1 million pesos to the bereaved families. He also shared that he already raised 20 billion pesos and hopes to raise 30 more in order to fund the education of the soldier’s children. “I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the families of our troops who perished fighting for the liberation of Marawi. I know that no amount could equal the precious lives of your loved ones.”

Go Negosyo Founder and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Mr. Joey Concepcion in his opening message shared that the intent of the event is to show the unwavering commitment of the private sector to inclusivity and peace and its genuine gratitude to the heroes through helping their families get through these tragic times. “What your sons have done for this country is truly admirable. They are heroes of this country, and all those grieving here truly understand how much this pains you. Today, we celebrate the heroic deeds they have done for this country.”

Ms. Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Go Negosyo’s Program Head for Sulu and Marawi efforts, regularly coordinates the assistance and aid given by Kapatids to support the soldiers in Marawi. Over the past weeks, care packages that include basic necessities and letters of encouragement have reached the men and women who are bravely fighting for peace to be established in Marawi.

“Despite extremely dangerous and adverse conditions, our troops forge on in this battle to preserve the fabric of peace that is essential to all of us. This united humanitarian effort by Kapatids to support our brave troops is a manifestation of our solidarity for the men and women who lay down their lives for for our country. We will continue these efforts for them and for their families,” Hontiveros-Malvar shared.

Leah Dinglasan, wife of TSg Aldrin Dinglasan, recounts the day she found out her husband would not be returning from Marawi anymore. She shares that her husband initially only had to accompany his students who were snipers to Marawi. However, he eventually insisted that he couldn’t just leave his students and would have to stay in Marawi.

Leah Dinglasan, wife of TSg Aldrin Dinglasan

Leah shares that she didn’t want her husband to go. But upon his insistence she relented. “Sabi niya kung siya po ay hindi naman sasama at pababayaan niya yung mga estudyante niya hindi naman po siya magiging okay dun. (He said if he doesn’t go and leaves behind his students, he wouldn’t be okay with that.)”

Leah is distraught upon learning that her husband has passed away. She shares that she is lost and doesn’t know how to move forward with her life and her children’s. “Hindi ko po kayang ako lang mag-isang magtataguyod sa mga anak ko. Ngayon wala na siya, wala na kaming masasandalan kasi dependent kami sa kanya sa lahat ng bagay. (I can’t raise my children on my own. Now that [my husband] is gone, we don’t have anyone to rely on because we were dependent on him for everything.)”

Despite the tragic loss her family has to deal with, Leah is grateful for her husband’s unending love and support. “Salamat sa lahat ng pagmamahal na binigay mo sa amin kahit lagi kang malayo sa amin. Kahit wala ka na hindi mo pa din kami pinabayaan sa lahat ng bagay. Sana gabayan mo pa din kami kahit wala ka na dito sa amin. Pipilitin kong maging matatag para sayo at para sa mga bata. (Thank you for all the love that you’ve given us, even if you’re far away. Even if you’re not physically here with us, you haven’t abandoned us. I hope that you continue to guide us and I will do my best to stay strong for you and our kids.)”

Nenita Ramos also languishes at the fact the she has lost her son, Pfc Mark Anthony Ramos, to the war. “Sobra pong sakit! Hindi ko po alam noon kung ano ang gagawin ko. Hindi ko po matanggap na siya ay mawawala. (It was unbearably painful! I didn’t know what to do. I can’t accept that he will be gone.)”

Despite the pain of losing her son, Nenita and her husband are proud of their son. “Nagpapasalamt kami sa kanya kasi siya’y naging mabait na anak. Tapos ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay sa ganung sitwasyon para sa bansa natin. Masakit man po, natutuwa kami kasi binigyan niya kami ng karangalan. Taas ang noo namin dahil pinagmamalaki namin siya dahil isa siyang bayani. (We are thankful because he was a good son. He sacrificed his life for our country. Even if it hurts, we are grateful that he has given us honor. Our heads are held high because we are proud of the hero he is.)”

Kapatid for Marawi

Since the onset of the Marawi conflict, the Go Negosyo Kapatid network has pooled together its resources and efforts in order to bring support and relief to the soldiers in Marawi. The community has been able to send out more than 5000 care packages which included food, water and personal care items to the displaced Maranaos and to the troops on the ground. This was done in collaboration with Kapatids such as Santi Araneta (LBC) and Dodong Sebendal (Pilmico Iligan) who volunteered their warehouses as centers for packaging and delivery purposes.

The Kapatids have also gone the extra mile by providing travel and accommodations to the families who will be traveling to Manila for the Event. The Tan family (Philippine Airlines) has given free airfare to fly in all the families whilst Injap Sia (Double Dragon Properties) and Tony Tan-Caktiong (Jolibee Food Corp. & Double Dragon Properties), are giving the families free accommodations at Hotel 101 and free meals through Mang Inasal and Jollibee.

Beyond this event, the Kapatid community has promised ongoing assistance for the soldiers and their families. The Department of Trade & Industry and The Department of Agriculture have both expressed their intention of assisting the families through providing mentorship programs which will help the families maximize and properly utilize their funds.

The long wait is over. For the first time on Philippine TV, viewers will see the coming together of the best and brightest entrepreneurs on a reality TV show that will link them to multi-millionaire and billionaire investors who are searching to own a piece of the next big business idea. All of them will go through a business boot camp and series of challenges for their chance to make the pitch of their lives in a once-in-a-lifetime funding round.

Entitled ‘The Final Pitch’, the reality TV show is loosely inspired by the Emmy Award-winning shows ‘Shark Tank’ and ‘The Apprentice,’ and will challenge entrepreneur contestants in the realities of scaling their existing businesses. The show is set to premiere on History Channel this July 29, 2017 at 8:30 pm.

“The Final Pitch is a result of my personal mission as well as a collective advocacy of a lot of business owners who would like to see SME entrepreneurs grow and succeed,” shares the creator and host of The Final Pitch, entrepreneur TV producer John Aguilar.

Aguilar has assembled a formidable lineup of investors that include the multi-awarded Chairman and CEO of the Sterling Group of Companies, Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong; self-made billionaire and the youngest chairman of a publicly-listed company in the PSE, Joseph Calata; Co-founder of Potato Corner and now Venture Capitalist Jose “Jomag” Magsaysay; and lastly, 25-year old millennial CEO of the MFT Group of Companies, Mica Tan.

In addition to the potential funding from the investors, contestants will receive business coaching and networking opportunities from an esteemed lineup of mentors, who are composed of well-known business experts and inclusive business champions, namely Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion; former President of MicroVentures, Inc., Senator Bam Aquino; internationally renowned industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue and; the gurus of the Masters in Entrepreneurship program of the ACE Center for Entrepreneurship and Management Education, among others.

“We are excited to introduce our exciting lineup of entrepreneurs and businesses that have made it to the show.” shares Aguilar. Being an international search, the show has attracted contestants from around the globe, with entrepreneurs flying in from Silicon Valley and the United Arab Emirates, and from across the country with hopefuls representing the Visayas and Mindanao. Various industries were also represented, from fintech companies to food, services, and unique inventions.

Callout for Season 2

The show is already accepting applications for the show’s second season. To join The Final Pitch Season 2, applicants will be required to fill up and submit an online entry form to The Final Pitch via its official website TheFinalPitch.ph. Investors interested in becoming a part of the show or investing in the entrepreneurs behind the scenes may also get in touch with The Final Pitch through its website.

The Final Pitch premieres every Saturday at 7:10 pm with replays every Sunday at 8:30 am and Mondays 7:35 pm on History Channel. The show is supported by Canon, Toyota, GoNegosyo, StartUp Village, ACE Center for Entrepreneurship and Management Education, Alphaland City Club, Atelier A, Akira Alphaland Makati Place, and Burst.

‘The Final Pitch’ is produced by Streetpark Productions Inc., the company behind the longest-running real estate and construction TV show Philippine Realty TV. For more info and for partnership inquiries, visit TheFinalPitch.ph or call 0917-8136674.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion established the Alliance Towards Prosperity For All with various business chambers in the country.

After the successful Prosperity for All Summit, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chairman and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion started an alliance with the country’s business chambers to create programs in creating prosperity for the micro and small entrepreneurs.

The Alliance Towards Prosperity For All is a long-term private sector-led campaign at the national level to build a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary alliance of organizations and individuals to pursue prosperity for all among ASEAN nations.

Members of this alliance are expected to participate in all upcoming ASEAN activities and help in the continuous campaign for infrastructure. They will also be part of the technical working committee which will develop a national platform for MSME development.

Go Negosyo, founded by Concepcion, will be the leading organization for this alliance in the Philippines. Go Negosyo has been in the forefront of entrepreneurship development since 2005. For the past 12 years, Go Negosyo has created a strong network of entrepreneurs and organizations from all industries helping micro and small entrepreneurs level up.

Aside from Go Negosyo, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Financial Executives of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Philippine Franchising Association, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Bankers Association of the Philippines, and many more will join the alliance. 22 business chamber heads attended the initial meeting of the alliance and many pledged their support to this initiative.

Chairman Concepcion said, “Through this initiative, we are creating a sustained alliance to fight off poverty through empowering micro and small entrepreneurs.”

In addition, in order to create prosperity for all, the alliance aims to strengthen the 3Ms for micro and small entrepreneurs. 3Ms include Money, Market and Mentorship. Access to finance is one of the biggest problems of MSMEs. In order to sustain their businesses, microfinance institutions, grants and loans, and other government interventions must be accessible to them.

To help MSMEs scale up, they also need market linkages. Go Negosyo and several organizations promote inclusive business where large companies include micro and small entrepreneurs in their value chains. By linking MSMEs to corporations, they are given wider market access and a sustainable income.

Mentorship is widely implemented by Go Negosyo in partnership with Department of Trade and Industry through the nationwide-implemented Kapatid Mentor Me Program which is a weekly coaching and mentoring program for micro and small entrepreneurs.

ASEAN Business Advisory Council under the Philippines chairmanship also established the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) which will be a pool of entrepreneurs, mentors, and experts who will share their knowledge to micro entrepreneurs across the region. Members of the alliance will also be part of the AMEN program.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and current ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chairman Joey Concepcion led the hosting of the first Prosperity for All Summit. In his opening speech, Concepcion focused on relaying the essence and importance of creating prosperity for all.

After acknowledging the special attendees of the night such as Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senators Miguel Zubiri and Bam Aquino, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez amongst many others, Concepcion gave special recognition to his father Jose Concepcion Jr. as his personal mentor and inspiration.

Thus, setting the tone for the event, the speech of Concepcion had the core message of mentorship and its role as a key driver for inclusive growth. In a room full of the country’s, and even the region’s, most powerful businessmen and organizations, Concepcion heeded the group to action. He said that it was about time they consciously balance their needs with the needs of the micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The greatest form of mentorship is when big businesses begin to adopt inclusive business model. in a sense, they are mentoring small businesses by incorporating them into their value chains and helping them scale. Concepcion cited the examples of SM, Rustan’s and Robinsons as supermarkets who have been directly sourcing goods from farmers.

Lastly, Concepcion presented the ASEAN-BAC’s adoption of mentorship as its main deliverable of the year. They will launch the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network this year, and this will hopefully be the start of an ASEAN-wide network of skills and knowledge sharing.

Be a partner for change and become a mentor for entrepreneurship in ASEAN! Visit www.aseanmentors.org and fill out the application form online.

April 3, 2017–The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Go Negosyo at the Casa Roces, Malacañan, Manila City officiates the partnership between the two institutions in launching the Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP).

Last 2016, Go Negosyo in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, rolled-out the Kapatid Mentor ME Program (KMME) which helps micro and small business scale up thru weekly coaching sessions done by their mentors. Mentors are business owners or practitioners across different functional areas of entrepreneurship. The sessions are held in DTI’s Negosyo Centers across the country and are stretched over the course of 12 weeks.

KAMMP in this regard, wishes to take the same proven and enabling formula as the KMME and apply it to the context of Agripreneurs. The DA is mandated to promote agricultural development by providing the policy framework, public investments, and support services needed for domestic and export-oriented business enterprises. Thus, KAMMP was developed with Go Negosyo as a coaching program for Agriculture as a complement to the DA’s initiatives to help sustain and scale up Agri-business in the country.

The program’s modules will be taught by Agri-business Industry practitioners with an extensive knowledge in their field. The objectives of the program are to equip Agri-preneurs with the proper production techniques, mindset and values, practical knowledge and strategies, and consultation services to foster successful and sustainable agri-enterprises. Mentees for the program will be selected from farmers groups by the respective Regional Directors of the DA.

Go Negosyo is represented by its Founder, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, together with Merly Cruz, Adviser for MSME Development, and Ginggay Hontiveros, Adviser for Agripreneurship. Also present were Go Negosyo Agri Mentors led by Dr. William Dar, Henry Lim Bon Liong, Toto Barcelona, Pamela Chan, Flor Tarriela, Mike Caballes, Cherrie Atilano, Vix Madlangbayan, Sandy Montano, Babie Atanacio, Mat Maderazo and Bobby Amores. The Department of Agriculture is represented by Secretary Manny Pinol, together with Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan of Operations and Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat of Marketing. Also present to witness the signing is the Director for ATI Ms. Luz Tapusok and members of the ATI,

AFID and AMAS teams. ATI is integral to the implementation of the KAMMP program in all regions of the country.

The MOU Singning was followed with a discussion by the two parties for several initiatives of agri development in the countryside, as well as the proposed ASEAN Agri Summit slated for October 2017.